Category Archives: Nevada

It Rises

codepeople-post-map require JavaScript
Click icon to view map

As you may recall, UndiscoveredWanderings spent a good chunk of summer 2016 in Reno, Nevada–part of our three-month inaugural road trip that took us across America, plus a couple excursions to Canada and Mexico. Our stay in Reno was short but memorable: we went drifting, found a swap meet for car people, visited a foreign country just outside Virginia City, and we even did a feature on the famous In-N-Out, which is something we’re sadly missing on the East Coast.What wonderful burgers that place has!

It was during our visit to In-N-Out that we noticed, around the corner, a creature hanging out on the roof of a neighboring building.

And that’s when we met the spider car sculpture, adorning the top of Scudder’s Performance automotive shop. Technically in the neighboring city of Sparks, the Spider Bug, as it’s locally known, is already famous among locals and car buffs. Once built for another purpose by artist David Farmbrough, Mr. Scudder rescued the spider–which has an old VW Bug for a body–from the scrap heap and made it the unofficial mascot of his business. The Spider Bug has sat atop Scudder’s Performance for the last several years now, making it a welcome fixture in a city known for quirky things.

Back of the Bar, Then Take a Right.

codepeople-post-map require JavaScript
Click icon to view map

How do we put this? Well…there’s an old silver mine in the back of a bar in Virginia City, Nevada.

Huh, that was easier than we thought.

Virginia City is a neat old town. Found in the hills of Northern Nevada, 45 minutes from Reno, this old mining town was critical to Nevada when it achieved statehood 150 years ago, helping to give it the name “The Silver State”.

Mining was and still is a HUGE industry in Nevada. But many mines run their course and then they’re sealed, forgotten or, in this case, turned into a museum with walk-through tours.

Enter The Best and Belcher Mine. It’s the location that got our attention. You see, the mine is literally in the back of the famous Ponderosa Saloon in Virginia City. And by “the back”, we mean that you walk in, buy a ticket for the tour, and you enter the mine through what looks like a cellar door at the back of the building. Just casually going to the bar, getting a bite to eat, check out the old mine. Just another day.

We got a real kick out of it. In historical context, it actually makes a lot of sense because the Ponderosa Saloon is in a building that once housed a bank. Virginia City has a lot of cool history like this.

The 25-minute tour is really cool. The mine is well preserved and full of old mining equipment from back in the day, plus some neon-colored…uh…rocks? See the last pic in the gallery below to figure that one out. You’ll get a feel for what it was like to work in such crazy conditions all those years ago, all in the name of the invincible dollar.

We included a couple photos, but we don’t want to spoil it for you. We promise it will be worth the trip.

Watch These Amazing Cars Get Restored in Real Time

codepeople-post-map require JavaScript
Click icon to view map

Carroll Shelby had a vision, and he worked hard to make that vision come true. The Shelby Cobra is a staple of American muscle car power and road prowess. Mr. Shelby’s numerous contributions to the American auto industry are numerous, so it’s only fitting that a museum exists to honor his life’s work.

Las Vegas is known for a lot of things, but it’s also a fitting home to this museum, just off the Strip. Officially known as The Shelby Heritage Center, this massive building not only houses vintage collectibles and phenomenal reproductions, but also an entire garage dedicated to restoring these amazing cars. You can watch them while they work.

Admission is free and guided tours are available on most days. No reservations required. You can learn more about tours here. The Center also has a store where you can buy official Shelby memorabilia.

Even if you’re not an avid car fan, this is a definite bucket list item that must be checked off. There’s more to a Shelby than just the car; there’s an amazing history of a man and a company whose impact reached far beyond the road. This is a must for any road trip through Nevada or a weekend getaway in America’s lovable Sin City.

Cool Off in the Desert the Natural Way

codepeople-post-map require JavaScript
Click icon to view map

Our first visit to Las Vegas this summer was a blast. Great city. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great climate. But even we noticed the extreme desert heat. Realizing we needed to get some fresh air and cool off, our hosts recommended Mount Charleston. Also known as Charleston Peak, Mount Charleston, we were told, is a Colorado-like place with cooler temperatures and gorgeous mountain scenery.

What?! In Vegas?!?! This one we had to check out…

So off we went on the 40-minute drive northwest of Sin City. It wasn’t long before we noticed the desert landscape getting greener before our eyes. And up Charleston we drove, deeper into the Spring Mountains. Wow, they weren’t kidding. This place is awesome! It reminded us of our visit to Italy’s mountainous Trentino region years ago. And to think, Mount Charleston is only a short drive from Vegas; a very easy day trip. Plenty of places to park the car and enjoy the scenery, cooler temperatures, and numerous hiking trails that will take you deeper into the wilderness. All in Clark County. On the day we went in late August, it was 100 degrees in Vegas, but only 70 (with a light breeze) on Mt. Charleston.

There’s more to Vegas than visitors think. Mt. Charleston’s definitely a well-kept local secret.

This Saloon’s Been Going for a While

codepeople-post-map require JavaScript
Click icon to view map

Saloons are the cornerstone of the Old West. You’ve probably never heard of Genoa, NV unless you’re from there. Only an hour south of Reno, Genoa’s claim to fame is Nevada’s oldest saloon: Genoa Bar and Saloon.

We’re not sharing interior pictures because we don’t want to spoil it for you, but if you want to get an authentic “Wild West” feel while kicking back and enjoying a drink, it’s right here for you. And if you’re lucky enough, you might see some wildlife nearby, like we did.